4 days ago
Fresh Rainfall Threatens Rescue Operations After Nepal Floods
A huge flood swept through parts of Nepal on Wednesday.
It carried water, mud and debris after an ice-and-rock avalanche linked to a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border.
More than 600 people have died, although one report gave a figure above 650.
More than 2,400 people are still missing.
Rescue teams have evacuated nearly 2,500 people, including 163 foreigners.
New rain, thunderstorms, lightning and possible snow could make rescue work harder.
Water levels in the Bhotekoshi River have also risen.
Chinese authorities warned that a new lake near the river’s source in Tibet might break through.
If that happened, more flooding could reach areas downstream in Nepal.
Nepal’s reported death toll crossed 600, with one account putting it above 650, while more than 2,400 people remained missing.
Fresh rain, thunderstorms, lightning and possible snowfall were forecast across several flood-affected regions on Saturday.
Authorities mobilised more than 11,000 security personnel, while another report said over 15,000 were deployed for rescue operations.
Nearly 2,500 people, including 163 foreigners, were evacuated from affected areas.
A possible barrier lake near the Bhotekoshi River’s source in Tibet could breach and create further downstream flooding risks in Nepal.
- Who
- Nepalese authorities, rescue teams and security personnel are responding to the disaster; more than 2,400 people remain missing.
- What
- Severe flash floods and landslides caused widespread destruction, while new weather and barrier-lake warnings threaten rescue and relief operations.
- Where
- Affected areas across central Nepal, including the Bhotekoshi area in Rasuwa and parts of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, Karnali, Lumbini and Sudurpashchim.
- When
- The main flooding occurred on Wednesday, and fresh rainfall warnings were issued on Saturday, August 29.
- Why
- Forecast rainfall, thunderstorms, rising Bhotekoshi River levels and a possible barrier-lake breach could cause further flooding and disrupt rescue work.
Key facts
- Reported deaths
- More than 600; one report said the toll had crossed 650
- People missing
- More than 2,400
- People evacuated
- Nearly 2,500, including 163 foreigners
- Security mobilisation
- More than 11,000 personnel according to one report; another reported over 15,000
- Main weather risk
- Heavy or moderate rain, thunderstorms, lightning and possible snowfall
- Flood-affected river
- Bhotekoshi River
- Additional flood risk
- A possible barrier lake near the river’s source in Tibet could breach
Quotes
Hari Prasad Dahal
Nepali meteorologist commenting on rainfall risks in the flood-affected Bhotekoshi area
“Heavy rain may occur in one or two places, which is likely to affect search and rescue operations. Therefore, precaution is necessary,”
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theprint.in
Sources
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